5 secret pearls of the Cyclades islands

The Greek Cyclades: a scatter of whitewashed islands across the Aegean. You already know Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos. All beautiful, no argument there. But these headline islands have become so popular that their charm now hides behind cruise-ship crowds and sunbeds packed elbow to elbow.

So if you'd rather skip:

• Late-night clubs and thumping bars
• Crowded boulevards
• Menus printed in five languages with barely a Greek dish on them
• A beach so busy you can't see the sand

…and you'd rather have:

• Peace and quiet
• Dramatic landscapes
• Picturesque villages
• Proper home cooking in a family-run taverna

…then these are the islands for you. The kind of place where you look up from your beach towel and realise you've got the whole bay to yourself.

The 5 quietest islands in the Greek Cyclades

Shhhh… let's keep these between us.

1. Amorgos

Amorgos is the Cyclades in miniature: white houses with blue shutters and tiny whitewashed churches. The walks deliver phenomenal views, and there are more than enough quiet beaches and coves to relax in, including the bay overlooking the photogenic Olympia shipwreck. The island's showpiece is the Hozoviotissa Monastery, a gleaming white building wedged into a sheer cliff. Handy to know: Amorgos sits within easy reach of Naxos and Santorini, so it makes a perfect quiet base if you still want the option of a day among the livelier crowds.

The ferry to Amorgos

Amorgos has no airport, so the ferry is the only way in, which is part of why it stays quiet. Most travellers route through Naxos, the natural gateway to the eastern Cyclades: catch the ferry from Athens to Naxos (around 4 to 6 hours depending on the boat), then a short hop on to Amorgos. Coming from the south? Pair it with the Naxos-Santorini route and continue from there. There's also a direct sailing from Athens, but budget the best part of a day for it.

2. Folegandros

Folegandros is a hiker's island of rocks, cliffs and big sea views, and the outlook from the clifftop Panagia church is hard to beat. The island's best beaches are tucked away, reachable only on foot or by boat, which keeps them blissfully uncrowded. Chora, the main town, has that quintessential Cycladic look: white houses draped in bougainvillea, with shaded squares made for lingering over a long lunch. Highly recommended.

The ferry to Folegandros

Folegandros lies in the southern Cyclades. The easiest connections are from Santorini and Milos, both close by, with onward links to Naxos and Paros. From the mainland, take the Athens to Santorini ferry and connect, or string it together with the Santorini-Paros route if you're island-hopping. Fast ferries cover the southern Cyclades in a few hours; the conventional boats are slower but cheaper.

3. Antiparos

Antiparos sits right beside its much busier neighbour, Paros. If a near-total absence of nightlife sounds like a feature rather than a bug, this is your island. It's small but rich in scenery: untouched landscapes, volcanic rock and a famous cave system, plus soft sandy beaches and clear water for swimming. In the north, the little capital (also called Chora) charms with a handful of smart boutiques and good restaurants.

The ferry to Antiparos

You reach Antiparos via Paros, as there's no direct mainland connection. A small ferry shuttles across to Chora Antiparos in about 10 minutes and runs frequently through the day. So the plan is simple: get to Paros first, either on the Athens to Paros ferry or, if you're already in the islands, the quick Mykonos-Paros hop, then cross over.

4. Kea (Tzia)

Kea (known to Greeks as Tzia) is the closest Cycladic island to the mainland, and Athenians treasure it as a weekend escape. It's still well off the international tourist radar, which makes it feel reassuringly Greek. Secluded coves and ancient temple ruins set the tone, while the rocky interior bursts with wildflowers in summer, threaded by old stone footpaths that make for lovely walking. Once you've discovered Kea's laid-back rhythm, you'll be planning your return.

The ferry to Kea

Here's the detail most guides skip: ferries to Kea don't leave from Piraeus or Rafina, but from Lavrio (Lavrion), a port on the south-east tip of Attica, about 45 minutes from Athens Airport. The crossing itself is short, roughly an hour, so Kea is genuinely easy to reach once you know where to go. Plan a flight to Athens, then transfer to Lavrio for the ferry. You'll find Kea sailings and alternatives in our Greek ferries guide.

5. Andros

Andros is the second-largest island in the Cyclades (after Naxos), and it's mostly Greeks holidaying here. With no airport, it slips under the radar of foreign visitors who default to Santorini or Mykonos. That's their loss: Andros is a stunner, with rugged scenery, waterfalls and (thanks to unusually fertile soil) a genuinely green landscape. Hike, swim, surf, or simply wander the handsome towns with their classic blue-and-white houses. Tip: pair Andros with a few days on neighbouring Tinos.

The ferry to Andros

Andros is served from Rafina, the smaller Athens port north-east of the city (and closer to the airport than Piraeus). The crossing takes a little under two hours on the conventional ferry, or closer to an hour and a half on a Seajets fast ferry. Rafina is also the springboard for Tinos, which makes combining the two effortless. See current sailings in our Greek ferries guide.

Tying it together: a quieter Cyclades route

The beauty of the Cyclades is how easily the islands link up by sea. A relaxed itinerary might start on Kea or Andros close to Athens, then drop south through Paros and Antiparos, and finish among the southern islands of Folegandros and Amorgos, using the famous islands only as transit hubs rather than destinations. Mix fast ferries (quicker, pricier) with the slower conventional boats (cheaper, and half the fun), and book ahead in July and August when popular sailings fill up.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the quietest Cyclades island?

Folegandros and Amorgos are among the most peaceful, partly because both rely entirely on ferries and have no airport. Kea stays quiet too, despite being the closest island to the mainland, as it draws mostly Greek weekenders rather than international tourists.

Can you reach these islands without flying into Santorini or Mykonos?

Yes. Fly into Athens and take a ferry: Kea sails from Lavrio, Andros from Rafina, and Paros, Naxos and Santorini connect from Piraeus, with onward hops to Antiparos, Amorgos and Folegandros from there.

When is the best time to visit the quiet Cyclades?

Late May to June and September offer warm seas, full ferry schedules and far fewer people than peak July to August. Many smaller routes wind down outside the May to October window, so check sailings if you're travelling in the shoulder season.